Artist Don Drumm has been a fixture of the Northeast Ohio art scene for nearly 50 years. On this week’s State of the Arts WKSU’s Mark Arehart takes us behind the scenes at the sculptor’s Akron studios.

The auditor is considered the top taxpayer watchdog, reviewing the books and doing efficiency audits for thousands of units of state and local government. And the office is up for grabs this year, as are all five of the statewide executive offices.

New funding from the state will help researchers better examine environmental problems in Lake Erie.

Ohio State’s Stone Laboratory plans to build a $1.9 million laboratory on Gibraltar Island near Put-In-Bay and use additional funds for cutting-edge new equipment.

The money comes from the Clean Lake 2020 law passed by state legislators in July.

Stone Lab director Christopher Winslow says the technology will be used to monitor the lake and study issues like harmful algal blooms. He says it’s not just Stone Lab researchers who will benefit from the new lab space.

Last year, Ohio changed its rules for prescribing opioids, restricting amounts of, and circumstances under which, doctors can prescribe those narcotics. The new rules have an exemption for people who are in hospice type care for diseases like cancer. Many patients who suffer from chronic pain say the new rules are leaving them without pain relief, resulting in unintended consequences.

Although recently exacerbated by a historically low national unemployment rate and growth in the manufacturing sector, Valley manufacturers first took note of the issue about a decade ago. Since then, a number of initiatives have been put in place to address the shortage of skilled workers.

The Ohio State Coroners Association has come out adamantly against the only issue on the statewide ballot, saying they can’t be for any measure that makes it more difficult to prosecute drug dealers and traffickers.

Ohio coroners say Issue 1 will help re-sentence drug dealers, putting them back on the streets to “continue poisoning their communities.”

The Houston Astros scored a flurry of runs to beat the Cleveland Indians 11-3 at Progressive Field. The Astros three game sweep in the American League Division Series ends Cleveland's season earlier than fans had hoped.

The National Wildlife Federation has certified Medina County as a “Community Wildlife Habitat.”

Wildlife Federation regional manager Manja Holland says the Community Wildlife program requires applicants to either create or restore a wildlife habitat and offer educational programs and outreach. Habitats are often found at schools, churches, and public parks. Points are awarded for each area certified as a habitat. Medina County earned the certificate by accumulating 1,000 points.